Disclaimer: Everything Harry potter belongs to JK Rowling

Recap: Draco earns himself a bad hair-do and along with Severus learns that Skyler, the kidnapped American girl, is also the heir of all four founders. She tells them that she wants to head a third party in the war against both Voldermort and Dumbledore and that she wants them on her side. Severus agrees and they head to Dumbledore's office to take on the old man, but not before Draco sticks his foot in his mouth and pays the price.

Chapter 6 Toe to Toe with the Great Manipulator

Skyler followed Severus down corridors, Draco at her side. As they continued to follow, Skyler went over the many turns the future conversation with Dumbledore could go. While Skyler knew a lot, she didn't know everything, and the fact that Dumbledore might know more than he should weighed heavily on her mind and so she prepared herself for the unexpected.

Glancing at the two Slytherins accompanying her, she felt a little. It had been relatively easier than she had expected to convince the potions master to be on her side, and there was still a lot to be told. Looking to Draco, Skyler's thoughts turned towards her upcoming birthday and to her brother who had just turned 17. While Skyler had been born originally in April, almost a full year after Harry, once she had read the journal their mother had left her she had agreed with something James had written in it. So Skyler, at the age of 14, had invented a new aging potion. One that permanently aged you, and aged herself a year so she could be the same age as Harry, therefore her inheritance would come in at the same time. It had taken a little longer than expected to get it right, and so she marked the day she had taken the potion, September 24th, as her new birthday. In only a few weeks time she would receive her inheritance and Harry would no longer be alone.

As they came to a statue of a gargoyle, to which Severus said 'fizzing whizzes' , Skyler wondered how Harry was doing. Skyler anted nothing more than to be reunited with her brother, but was scared he would turn her away. As she climbed the stairs and Severus knocked on the door to which he received a ' come in ' , Skyler pushed away those thoughts and followed Severus and Draco into the office .

Sitting behind a magnificent desk i the middle of the circular room whose walls were home to paintings of the headmasters of the past. was Albus Dumbledore. As Skyler took in the twinkling blue eyes of the man before her, the rage at all she knew he had done rose within her. The need to claw the lying face and manipulative eyes before her took been herself by surprise. As Skyler fought the rage on the inside, on the outside she looked every bit calm, cool and collected. She was after all, Slytherin's heir. And while Skyler didn't find it necessary to hide all her feelings all the time, she knew how to hide them when it was necessary.

"Severus, Mr. Malfoy, good evening. An quite a late evening at that." Dumbledore indicated the clock behind him. "Severus, i know why you are here. But why don't you explain the presence of Mr. Malfoy and the young lady you have brought with you." Dumbledore looked merely curious, but Skyler could read his mind. While Dumbledore felt secure that nobody could get past his occlumency shields, Skyler was too powerful to be kept out and crept in without him noticing.. She found that he had been notified through Harry about a vision he had had earlier that night in regards to Voldemort and his plans. The old man had already put two and two together and was hoping she was who he thought her to be.

As he had been talking and she picking through his mind, Skyler had also pulled out her wand and without hesitation or thought conjured three very comfortable chairs for herself, Draco and Severus. Skyler caught Dumbledore's excited gleam in his eyes as she demonstrated this slight bit of power. Conjuration was a highly hard skill to learn, even for talented witches and wizards. In a move to show she held no respect for him, she proceeded to sit before being told. Draco caught on and quickly followed suit.

Dumbledore was a little taken aback by the disregard the girl had shown him, but was more curious to find if she was the girl Harry had seen Voldemort discussing, and so let it slip. He figured that since she had arrived with Severus, she most likely was, and ever the manipulator, could not wait to have her under his control. Little did he know, she was not a fan of his and would just as soon as chop his head off than be on his side. He was also curious as to why Draco Malfoy was there, but seeing as his father was Voldemort's right hand man, he figured it had something to do with joining Voldemort. Dumbledore was beside himself with barely contained glee at the fact that he might just be gaining two more people who would be more than happy to spy for him since he was the leader of the Light and could speak on their behalf after the war.

Severus watched the headmaster and could practically feel his glee from where he stood beside the window. He let himself feel just a little gloat about the fact that the headmaster was in for a surprise.

Draco sat and looked bored on the outside, but felt nothing but eager anticipation on the inside. He couldn't wait to see Dumbledore be knocked down a few pegs. By the Dark Lord's daughter too! Draco could barely keep the smirk off his face as Severus began the tale.

"Headmaster, I have brought them both here because they were at the meeting also. Draco was summoned to be initiated, the girl to be recruited. The Dark Lord did bot intend to initiate Draco, but to kill him. As a lesson to his father. He planned on torturing him to death. The girl saved him. " Severus paused to let that information sink in.

Draco watched the headmaster closely as he seemed to connect something within his mind. He then nodded at Severus to continue, which he did.

" She saved him quite a few times before they escaped. They ended up apparating away to the gates of Hogwarts, where I found them about half an hour later. I questioned them and checked them over to make sure there was no lasting damage and that they were ok. Now we are here." Draco knew that Dumbledore could tell there were giant holes in Severus's story. Hell anyone would. Dumbledore turned to him and peered over the top of his half moon spectacles.

"Do you have anything to add Mr. Malfoy?" He asked him.

"No sir. That was pretty much it." Draco felt sticking to his godfather's story and not giving away too much information was a good idea and so therefore did not feel the least bit compelled to be more forthcoming with entails. Dumbledore sighed and turned his gaze to Skyler. Draco waited with baited breath as she met his gaze head on and did not back down. Eventually Dumbledore seemed to figure out that she wasn't going to be forthcoming with any information , for he entwined his fingers together, laying his hands on the desk before him and began his questioning.

"And who are you young lady?" He asked in his best grandfatherly tone. Skyler didn't miss a beat .

"I am Skyler Riddle." If Draco had been less controlled, he would have jumped from glee as he watched along with Severus as the headmasters face visibly paled and he looked genuinely shocked. It was clear that whatever he had been expecting for an answer, that clearly wasn't it. Before Dumbledore could completely recover from the shock, Skyler continued to deliver them, and with every new piece of information she revealed, Dumbledore paled even more.

" Before you ask, yes, my father was Tom Riddle, and yes my mother was Lily Potter. Yes i am the half sister to Harry Potter. I was sent to America as soon as I was born and have been raised there. I have to tell you Albus," Draco was straining to keep his laughter in as Skyler delivered blow after blow to the headmaster and continued to blatantly disrespect him. He chanced a glance at his godfather and was pleased to see the corners of his mouth twitching. " that I also know that you knew about me. The only one who knew about me actually, and that you promised James and Lily you would reunite me and Harry if anything should happen to them. No doubt you have a explanation for that. I also just wanted to let you know ahead of time that yes i will be continuing my education here at Hogwarts with my brother and that I have no intent of following you, wherever you shall lead."

Skyler knew the fool in front of her was still trying to come to terms with everything she had told him so far, and that wasn't even the half of it. But she could read in his mind the implications of her last statement and continued before he could get a word in. He would hear her out first.

"You see, growing up on your own tends to make people independent. Especially when your a powerful witch and no one, including you, knows why weird things happen around you all the time. So I'm sorry to tell you I'm just not 'follower' material. But leader on the other hand. That's something i can do." Skyler left off with a smirk, deciding to let the idiot come to terms with what she was saying. It didn't take long. Throughout her speech, she could see the storm brewing behind the twinkling eyes. He was someone who did not like not having control, and she couldn't wait to see him try to control her.

"Well Miss Riddle, you have given a lot of information in one go. First, how can we be sure you are who you say you are? Not that i out the truth, but in these times we cannot take things like this at face value." Dumbledore seemed to have come to the conclusion that doubting the truth would be the best route to take. He sincerely hoped she could not prove to be the real Skyler Riddle. Luck did not seem to be on his side, however.

"Well, you could test my blood i guess. But I promise you now that it will only prove who i am." Skyler gave a shrug as if to say she didn't really care . Dumbledore decided, in an effort to stall for time, to proceed with the blood test. Severus left and came back with a piece of parchment and a vial. He handed the vial to Skyler who drank it while Severus charmed the parchment with the family tree spell. The potion would interact with her blood so that once it touched the charmed parchment her parents and any siblings would show up. Sure enough, after Skyler had conjured a needle and pricked her finger to allow a drop of blood to rip onto the parchment, the names Lily Evans Potter, Tom Marvolo Riddle, and Harry James Potter showed up.

" Well, it seems you have told the truth about who you are. " Dumbledore sighed as his eyes were still on the parchment. " Why don't you explain how you came to be at the meeting where you met Professor Snape and Mr. Malfoy here, and also how you know about your parents and brother."

Skyler seemed to think about whether or not she should answer, and she could tell Dumbledore was losing his patience.

"Fair enough. I guess I can give you that information for free. I was kidnapped from California, where i lived. I was stunned by Lucious Malfoy and brought to the manor where the meeting was held. When i woke up, i heard screaming and went to help. Thats when i found Voldemort torturing him and helped him escape. As for how i know about my parents, my mother left me a journal that she wrote it all down in. She wanted me to know who i was and to be prepared if the wrong people ever found out about me. Im glad she did that, seeing as you didn't have the intention to find me and tell as you had promised." Skyler ended with a cold glare at Dumbledore. Dumbledore seemed torn between being angry that she had implicated he would need to give something for further information, shocked that Lily had not trusted him enough to leave the plans in his hands, and curious as to what else was written in that journal. He needed to see it, and the sooner the better.

He decided quickly the best way to deal with her accusations was to go with the old stand by story of it was just too dangerous and to pull on the gravest face he could to look properly sorry.

" I am very sorry that you feel i did not genuinely want you and Harry together. I promise, it was never my intention to keep you apart. It was just too dangerous. I knew that Voldemort would make a come back, and that Harry was in enough danger from him as it is. Harry would never forgive himself if anything happened to you. I felt it best to keep you separate until Voldemort had been dealt with."

Skyler would give it to the old man, he was a world class actor. He looked every part the man who made a decision with the best intentions but lived to regret it. However, Skyler could see through his false regret like one would see through glass. He was transparent to her, and Skyler would use it to her advantage. A big part of her was even more angry that he would continue to try to lie, but she figured it was the way he lived. Sad, but true . And Skyler couldn't wait to see him get tangled and caught in the webs of lies he had woven himself.

" Thats a lie and you know it, You didn't even know where i was." Skyler commented, waving away his fake regret. She felt him trying to break through her occlumency shields, and she narrowed her eyes on him in warning. When he continued to push against them, she forcefully pushed him out. Her magic lashed out at him, and Dumbledore found himself thrown back against the wall.

As he made it to his feet, he found a furious set of violet pool glaring. Skyler was on her feet now, looking murderous. Severus had moved over to help the headmaster and make sure he was not injured while Draco was also on his feet and had a restraining hand on Skyler. Draco looked mildly concerned, most of his concern masked. Once Severus was sure Dumbledore was ok, he turned to Skyler with an icy look. Skyler glared back unrepentantly.

" What happened?" Severus's tone was harsh and low. Skyler matched it with her own deadly soft voice.

"He was attempting to use legilimency on me. That was the backlash of my magic forcing him out." Severus turned disbelieving eyes onto the headmaster, who was barely restraining from glaring back at Skyler. " I want you to know that if you ever attempt that again, i will not hold back. And the same goes for my brother. You are are headmaster at a school, not God. Do not presume to think you have the authority to go galavanting around in people's minds as you wish. Now will someone please take me to my room. I assume i will be sorted in the morning."

"You assume wrong." Dumbledore shot back through clenched teeth. "You are obviously too dangerous to have in this school. You attacked the headmaster. I cannot have you in the school, putting the other children at risk. And given who your father is.. Well .. lets just say that the aurors wouldn't find it hard to believe that you are a danger. " Dumbledore was practically gloating by the end and had completely forgot about the other two people in the room. Severus was completely shocked that Dumbledore had outright threatened his goddaughter, while Draco was glaring something fierce. Skyler however, adopted a evil smirk as she went toe to toe with Dumbledore.

"I must say, threatening a student does not become you Albus." Skyler's eyes lighted with humor as Dumbledore glared at her disrespectful use of his name and her mock-reproachful tone. "But i think the aurors would find it more interesting when i tell them that you attacked me by trying to illegally use legilimency on me. And I'm sure that the parents of the students would find it very interesting indeed. And they will find out. I promise you that. "

Severus looked from Skyler to Dumbledore, and decided, upon seeing Dumbledore's murderous expression, that the conversation was over. Atleast for now. He had a feeling that this was just the first of many confrontations between the two.

"I think this has gone farther than it ought to have. Draco, why don't you escort Miss Riddle to the private rooms opposite yours? I would like to speak to the headmaster privately. I will meet you both in your common room tomorrow morning at 8 am to escort Miss Riddle to be sorted. "

With one last glare at Dumbledore, Skyler allowed herself to be lead from the office. Once Skyler and Draco were gone, Severus made his way to a chair and sunk into it. Dumbledore sank back into his chair and huffed.

"Severus," He began in a authoritative yet chastising tone. "I don't know why you allowed that girl to believe she will be sorted. You know i cannot allow it. "

Severus glared at the headmaster with nothing but cold fury. "And why is it you cannot allow it Albus?" He questioned silkily. Dumbledore sighed before responding.

"She attacked me Severus. She is showing behavioral patterns like her father. No. It would be best to turn her over to the aurors before she makes a bigger mess of what happened today by spreading those lies. We must also make sure its done before she has any contact with Harry. Its better if all of this goes on without him learning of it."

Severus had never in all his life, been as disgusted as he was at that moment. The nerve of the man! Severus found he had to restrain himself from using an unforgivable on the man. He had no limits! He just messed with people's lives as he saw fit. Well, Severus was now the godfather to 3 children. Oh yes, as much as he didn't want to admit it, Severus was willing to take Harry under his wing as well. Skyler had been truthful about everything so far, and Severus was not about to doubt her. Severus got up to leave the office, unable to bare the current company in the room any longer. As he headed out the door, Dumbledore spoke to him again.

"I'll have the aurors here in the morning Severus. Just have the girl here and be prepared to tell the truthful version of the story." Severus continued on his way, but in his mind he thought maliciously.

'I will definitely give the truthful story, Albus.'

Draco led Skyler from the headmaster's office as quickly as he could. He was shocked and just as furious that Dumbledore had threatened her outright. Beside him, Skyler was walking quietly, posture perfect and proud, head held high. He secretly admired her as they continued to walk, not knowing that Skyler knew what he was doing the entire time, and found extremely amusing. Draco couldn't deny,even to himself , that she was beautiful to look at.

'She's Potter's sister!'

His mind yelled at him. Draco shook his head and Skyler giggled. He turned to glare at her, hoping she hadn't been listening to his thoughts.

'Well if she is listening to my thoughts, it would make her quite the hypocrite .'

He thought to himself amusedly. They finally came to the portrait that guarded his quarters that were in the dungeons and he gave the password (dragon breath) and he led her into the common room. He watched her as she looked around, taking in everything.

"My room is over there." He pointed to a door on the right side of the room. Then he headed in the opposite direction to another door and opened it. " This will be your room i guess. " He shrugged when she looked at him questioningly. "I doubt that you will be moving, even after you are sorted. Sev likes to have me close that way no one catches on that we visit a lot together. He'll probably like it best if were both as accessible as he would like." He explained in a this-should-be-obvious tone. "You have your own bathroom too. "

"Thanks. I like it." Skyler replied after taking in the room. The bed was a large, beautiful four poster bed with pale blue hangings. The bed was covered with silk creme colored sheets and the duvet was a matching pale blue. The walls were painted so it was like the room was surrounded by the beach. The carpet was thick and soft and was also a creme color. There was a window on the left side of the room, and the remainder of the wall it was located on was covered behind a bookcase whose shelves were half full. There was a desk on the right side of the room, and also a large wardrobe that was also a pale blue color. All in all, it was perfect for her.

"Yea. Well, I'm going to bed now so try to stay out of trouble until tomorrow morning when i don't have to deal with you, ok?" Draco sneered at her. So what if she was beautiful and powerful, she was a pain in the arse, not to mention Potter's sister, and the sooner she was out of his hair the better. She rolled her eyes at him and bowed him out the door.

"Please, don't let me keep you from your beauty sleep your majesty. With that face, you most definitely need it." And before Draco could so much as glare at her, she slammed the door in his face and he could hear her laughing hysterically behind it. He yelled through the door at her, but upon realizing that only made her laugh more, he stomped over to his room, yelled out a promise for revenge, and the proceeded to slam his own door. As Draco slept that night, his dreams were filled with shades of violet and purple, and his sleep was peaceful.

In Gryffindor Tower, emerald eyes were wide awake. Harry lay in his four poster bed, listening to his dorm mates snore, and tire to put it all together. His scar had been terribly painful tonight and he could feel the fury coming through the bond he shared with Voldemort. Harry had caught only a glimpse of what had happened tonight with Voldemort, a glimpse of a girl with violet fires for eyes saving Draco Malfoy from death. And so Harry fell asleep wondering who the girl was, her face and glowing, violet eyes the last thing he saw before falling into sleeps' waiting arms.